Artichoke plant ‘Z530’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Cynara  named ‘Z530’ that has improved productivity and year round harvest. ‘Z530’ produces one central and about fifteen lateral edible immature flower buds, and four side shoots during the first year.

Genus and species: The cultivar of this invention is botanicallyidentified as Cynara scolymus L.

Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Z530’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of globeartichoke, a perennial herb that is grown as a food crop for theproduction of edible vegetable delicacies. The new invention is knownbotanically as Cynara scolymus and will be referred to hereinafter bythe cultivar name ‘Z530’ Cynara scolymus is in the family Asteraceae,formerly known as Compositae.

An individual plant of Cynara scolymus ‘Z530’ is comprised of main stem,lateral stems, leaves, and immature flower buds known as involucra. Eachinvolucrum is made up of several series of phyllaries also known asinvolucral bracts. The edible parts, of freshly harvested immatureflower buds are the fleshy part of the bracts, the fleshy receptacle,and the uppermost part of the peduncle. If not harvested, but permittedto mature, flower buds will develop into flower heads known as capitula.

The new Cynara variety named ‘Z530’ was discovered in October 2006 bythe inventor as a natural somaclonal variant derived from the parent, anindividual Cynara scolymus ‘BCL 9-11’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,807). Theinventor selected ‘Z530’ based on the criterion of improved productivityof edible immature flower buds. ‘Z530’ was discovered in and amongst acommercial crop of Cynara scolymus ‘BCL 9-11’ in Lompoc, Calif. At thetime of discovery ‘Z530’ was selected as a single plant and segregatedand labeled for observation. No chemicals, nor other methods, known tothe inventor, were used to induce the new variety ‘Z530’.

The first asexual propagation of ‘Z530’ was conducted by the inventor inMarch 2007, through the method of crown divisions. Crown divisions thenserved as explant material for subsequent asexual propagation by tissueculture in August 2007. Under the inventor's supervision asexualpropagation was conducted in Lompoc, Calif. where the plants werelabeled and segregated. Since March 2007 under careful observation allplants identified as ‘Z530’ have been determined uniform, stable andtrue to type in subsequent generations of asexual propagation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The closest comparison plant is Cynara scolymus ‘BCL 9-11’. Thecomparison plant ‘BCL 9-11’ produces 2.6 lateral artichokes and 3-4 sideshoots the first year. ‘Z530’ is distinguishable from the comparisonplant by greater productivity, absence of purple coloring on lowerbracts, long bristles, and concave heart.

‘Z530’ is characterized by broad spreading habit, yellow-green ribbedstems, yellow-green leaves, one central immature flower bud and 19.1lateral immature flower buds that are uniform in shape, flavor, andtender consistency. Flower buds are yellow-green in color. During thefirst year ‘Z530’ produces 3-4 side shoots from the base of anindividual plant, producing another central flower bud and 19.1 lateralflower buds per shoot. The edible immature flower buds of ‘Z530’ areharvested year round with greatest productivity March through September.Cultural requirements include full sun, well-draining soil, and moderatewater. Hardiness is classified as USDA Zone 6.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of ‘Z530’. ‘Z530’ has greatestproductivity during the warmer months from March through September.‘Z530’ exhibits high productivity, producing 1 central and 19.1 lateralimmature flower buds as well as 3-4 side shoots during the first year.Each side shoot of ‘Z530’ produces 1 central and 19.1 lateral immatureflower buds per shoot. These traits in combination distinguish ‘Z530’from all other existing varieties of Cynara known to the inventor.‘Z530’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypicdifferences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic,and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance ofthe new Cynara cultivar named ‘Z530’ showing color as true as isreasonably possible to obtain in color reproductions of this type.Photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although flowerand foliage color may appear different from actual color due to lightreflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography. Color in the photographs may differ from color values citedin the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe theactual dolor of the new variety ‘X42’.

The photographs depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 were taken outdoors inindirect sunlight.

The photograph for FIG. 3 was taken indoors. Photographs were taken inNovember 2008 of 6-month-old field grown plants in Lompoc, Calif.Lompoc, Calif. is located on the central coast in Santa Barbara County.Conditions in Lompoc vary with air temperatures ranging from 15.5° C. to26.6° C. The relative humidity is generally high. Prevailing winds arenorthwesterly and rainfall averages twelve inches per year.

FIG. 1 depicts the central immature flower bud of ‘Z530’.

FIG. 2 depicts the lateral immature flower buds of ‘Z530’.

FIG. 3 depicts a flower of ‘Z530’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Cynaracultivar named ‘Z530’. Color determinations are in accordance with The2001 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart of London, England, exceptwhere general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.The following observations, measurements and values describe ‘Z530’ asgrown in Lompoc, Calif. under conditions used in horticultural practice.The plants were grown in rows where row spacing (bed centers) was at 3meters and individual plant spacing at 120 cm. Data was collected inNovember 2008 from 6-month-old field grown plants. Growing requirementsare similar to the requirements for other Cynara.

-   General characteristics:    -   -   Months of harvest.—Year round with greatest productivity            March through September.        -   Habit.—Broad spreading.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous.        -   Type.—Perennial herb.        -   Height at time of harvest.—122 cm.        -   Width at time of harvest.—173 cm.        -   Root system.—Thick and fibrous.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 6.        -   Propagation method.—Tissue culture and division.        -   Crop time (range).—5-6 months to produce a harvestable crop            of edible immature flower buds.        -   Disease resistance.—None known to the inventor.        -   Pest and disease susceptibility.—Aphids, slugs, and leaf            spot.        -   Cultural requirements.—Grow in full sun and well-draining            soil, with moderate water.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit (range).—Basal to caulescent.        -   Length (average).—50 cm.        -   Diameter (range).—5-7 cm.        -   Surface.—A combination of ribbed and tomentose.        -   Shape.—Columnar.        -   Strength.—Rigid.        -   Color.—147B (147D-147A).        -   Side shoots (range).—3-4 during first year.        -   Internode (range).—8-13 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Arrangement.—Spiral.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Margin (range).—Laciniate to incised.        -   Quantity (range).—55-60 leaves per individual plant.        -   Shape.—Pinnatifid.        -   Attachment.—Decurrent.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—147B (147C-148C).        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—189A (189D-N189D).        -   Length (range).—35-94 cm.        -   Width (range).—10-57 cm.        -   Apex (range).—Emarginate to acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Lobe quantity (range).—8-10 lobes per leaf.        -   Lobe apex.—Rounded.        -   Lobe length (average).—7 cm.        -   Lobe width (average).—3.50 cm.        -   Venation pattern.—Reticulate.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—189A (189C-N189D).        -   Vein color (adaxial surface).—193A (193C-194C).        -   Surface (abaxial).—Tomentose.        -   Surface (adaxial).—Pubescent.        -   Appearance (abaxial surface).—Matte.        -   Appearance (adaxial surface).—Glossy.        -   Stipules.—None observed.        -   Fragrance.—None observed.        -   Angle of leaf to stem (average).—45°.-   Involucrum (immature flower bud):    -   -   Shape.—Oblate.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Bud depth (average).—13.50 cm.        -   Bud diameter (average).—20 cm.        -   Form.—Compact.        -   Texture.—Firm.        -   Surface.—Glabrous.        -   Quantity (average).—1 central and 19.1 lateral.        -   Phyllary (involucral bract).—Arrangement: Imbricate. Outer            bract quantity (average): 50 per involucrum. Inner bract            quantity (average): 50 per involucrum. Outer bract shape:            Ovate. Inner bract shape: Spathiform. Margin: Entire. Outer            bract texture: Fleshy. Inner bract texture: Papyraceous.            Outer bract height (average): 6.25 cm. Inner bract height            (average): 7.50 cm. Outer bract width (average): 5 cm. Inner            bract width (average): 2 cm. Outer and inner bract surface            (abaxial): Glabrous. Outer and inner bract surface            (adaxial): Glabrous. Outer bract color (abaxial surface):            147C (147D-148C). Outer bract color (adaxial surface): 147C            (147D-148C). Inner bract color (abaxial surface): 155D            (155D-155A). Inner bract color (adaxial surface): 155D            (155D-155A). Outer bract appearance: Matte. Inner bract            appearance: Irridescent. Apex (outer and inner bract):            Retuse with minute spine. Base (outer and inner bract):            Truncate. Spine color: 162C (161B-162A). Spine dimensions:            <1 mm. in height and <1 mm. in width.        -   Receptacle shape.—Concave.        -   Receptacle diameter (average).—10 cm.        -   Receptacle depth (range).—2-2.50 cm.        -   Receptacle color.—158A (158D-159D).        -   Receptacle texture.—Firm.        -   Bristle color.—155D (155D-155A).        -   Bristle quantity.—200+.        -   Bristle shape.—Filamentous.        -   Bristle length (average).—5 cm.        -   Bristle width (average): <1 mm.        -   Bristle texture.—Sericeous.        -   Peduncle shape.—Columnar.        -   Peduncle length (average).—20 cm.        -   Peduncle diameter (average).—3 cm.        -   Peduncle color: 147B (147D-148C).        -   Peduncle strength.—Rigid.        -   Peduncle surface.—Combination of ribbed and tomentose.        -   Duration of cold storage (range).—22-24 days.        -   Cold storage temperature (range).—1°-2° C.        -   Cold storage response.—Negligible browning and softening at            stem cut.        -   Shelf life (range).—22-28 days under mist.        -   Weight (average).—561.90 grams.-   Mature inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Capitula.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent.        -   Shape.—Oblate.        -   Appearance.—Thistle-like.        -   Depth (average).—12 cm.        -   Diameter (average).—13 cm.        -   Phyllary (involucral bract).—Arrangement: Imbricate. Outer            bract quantity (average): 36 in number. Inner bract quantity            (average): 100+ in number. Outer bract shape: Ovate. Inner            bract shape: Spathiform. Margin (outer and inner): Entire.            Outer bract texture: Fleshy. Inner bract texture:            Papyraceous. Outer bract height (average): 6 cm. Inner bract            height (average): 7.5 cm. Outer bract width (average):            4.75 cm. Inner bract width (average): 2 cm. Outer and inner            bract surface: Glabrous. Outer and inner bract surface:            Glabrous. Outer bract color (abaxial surface): 147C            (147D-148C). Outer bract color (adaxial surface): 147C            (147D-148C). Inner bract color (abaxial surface): 159A            (159D-159A). Inner bract color (adaxial surface): 159A            (159D-159A). Outer bract appearance: Matte. Inner bract            appearance: Irridescent. Outer bract apex: Retuse with            minute spine. Inner bract apex: Acute with minute spine.            Base (outer and inner bracts): Truncate. Spine color (inner            bract): 159A (159D-159A). Spine dimensions: <1 mm. in height            and <1 mm. in width. Receptacle shape: Concave. Receptacle            diameter (range): 9-10 cm. Receptacle depth (average):            2.50 cm. Receptacle color: 158A (158C-159C). Receptacle            texture: Firm. Disc floret quantity (average): 500+. Corolla            dimensions (average): 1.50 cm. in depth and 0.25 cm. in            width. Corolla shape: Tubular. Corolla color: 86B (86A-86A).            Corolla lobe: 8 in number. Lobes fused or unfused: Fused.            Pappus (modified calyx): Present. Pappus dimensions (average            per floret): 5 cm. in length and 1 cm. in width. Pappus            appearance: Irridescent. Pappus texture: Sericeous. Pappus            color: 159D (159D-159A). Bristle quantity (average): 25 per            disc floret. Bristle shape: Filamentous. Bristle color: 159D            (159D-159A).        -   Peduncle dimensions (range).—44-54 cm. in length and            1.50-1.75 cm. in width.        -   Peduncle surface.—Combination of deeply fluted and            tomentose.        -   Peduncle color.—147B (147C-148C).        -   Fragrance.—Tangy.        -   Weight (average).—453.592 grams.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence (range).—2-3 weeks.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—8 epipetalous stamens.        -   Stamen length (range).—1.75-2 cm.        -   Stamen color.—86C (86D-86A).        -   Anther.—Connate to stamen.        -   Anther length.—5 mm.        -   Anther color.—86C (86D-86A).        -   Style branches.—2 in number.        -   Style branch length.—0.75 cm.        -   Style branch color.—91A (91D-91A).        -   Style color.—155B (155D-155A).        -   Style length.—2 cm.        -   Ovary position.—Inferior.        -   Ovary shape.—Oblong.        -   Ovary dimensions.—0.60 cm. in height and 0.40 cm. in width.        -   Ovary color.—159A (159D-159A).-   Seed: None observed to date.

1. A new and distinct variety of artichoke plant having thecharacteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein.